Gary Brown: Now that the Olympics are over, my interest in luge will go downhill

Gary Brown

Monday

Mar 1, 2010 at 12:01 AMMar 1, 2010 at 12:17 AM

During the Olympics, I find myself inexplicably wanting to luge. Oh, I don’t want to put on that skin-tight shiny suit luge riders wear. At my age, I think that might be the most dangerous part of luge. But for a couple of weeks now, I’ve thought it would be exciting to hop onto a luge sled and slide down a luge track like a bat out of my basement. Backward.

The Winter Olympics are over, so my desire to luge will be fading soon.

Every four years during the Olympics, I develop an avid interest in luge. I learn the names of the competitors. I learn again the definitions of luge terms.

I even sort of catch on to the way luge competitors are supposed to enter and leave turns on that particular Olympic luge course, although not to the point that they could turn me loose at the top and expect me to luge my way down without quickly being separated from my sled.

During the Olympics, I find myself inexplicably wanting to luge. Oh, I don’t want to put on that skin-tight shiny suit luge riders wear. At my age, I think that might be the most dangerous part of luge. But, for a couple of weeks now, I’ve thought it would be exciting to hop onto a luge sled and slide down a luge track like a bat out of my basement. Backward.

Traveling feet-first almost seems like an advantage to a novice luge rider. I have no interest in riding down the course head-first like the skeleton riders. If I’m planning to travel 90 mph on ice, I’d really prefer not to see where I’m going.

I don’t have much of an interest in bobsledding, either — neither two-man nor four-man. Except for the speed and the apparent need to carpool, it’s not much different than driving a car in Ohio in winter. And I’m afraid if I crashed, they’d make me pay for the damages. I don’t know if you can get collision insurance on a vehicle when you have to tell the agent, “Well, I plan to drive this thing only downhill, only on ice, almost all the time on curves, mostly at about 90 mph. ...”

I’d like to luge, though. Luge is different. Luge is like nothing I’ve ever done before. I think that’s why so many people become absorbed in watching the Olympics every four years.

Recreational skiing and skating aside, they see sports that they’ve never had the chance to participate in, nor will they probably ever have the opportunity to try.

When was the last time you were asked if you wanted to join a team entered in a weekday night short track speed skating league? Do friends call you Friday night and ask if you want to get up early Saturday morning to go on a biathlon with your buddies? Do you even know where you could luge if you decided you loved it?

Think quick, because if you’re anything like me, a desire to someday luge is not a goal that lingers long after the Olympics finish. It’s not on my bucket list. My last words will not be, “Bury me feet first, like a luge guy. ...”

Contact Gary Brown at gary.brown@cantonrep.com.

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